Mechanism for casting stereotypes



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. H. BENEDICT.

MECHANISM FOR CASTING STERBOTYPES.

No. 437,374. Patented Sept. 30. 1890.

lflllllllllll (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. H. BENEDICT; MECHANISM FOR CASTING STEREOTYPES.

No. 437,374. Patented Sept. 30, 1890.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. G. H. BENEDICT. MECHANISM FOR GASTING STEREOTYPES. No. 437,374.

Patented Sep1 30, 1890.

' 30 in cross-section.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GILBERT H. BENEDICT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE CENTURY PRESS COMPANY, OF WEST VIRGINIA.

MECHANISM FOR CASTING STEREOTYPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,374, dated September 30, 1890. g I

Application filed February 20,1890. Serial No. 341,170. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GILBERT H. BENEDICT, of WVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain Improvements in Mechanism for Casting Stereotypes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mechanism for use in casting stereotype-plates from matrices of papier-mach, or equivalent material, de-

ro signed more particularly for the production of plates, each adapted to print a'single column of matter, and each having on its back a longitudinal rib to interlock with a baseplate to which the stereotype is removably r 5 applied when in use.

My machine'comprises as its essential elements a channeled base-plate to receive the matrix and type metal, a movable top plate to confine the matrix and form the top of the casting-chamber, and a laterally-movable bar, which gives form to the inside of the rib, and .which by its lateral movement releases the rib to. permit the removal of the stereotype.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my mold or casting-box in operative position. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same on the lines 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the mold as it appears when open, the top plate being shown Fig. 4 is a view looking into the upper end of the mold in the directionindicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 5 5 of Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on the line 2 2 of Figs.

5 1, 3, and 7, showing the top plate slightly raised and the bar retracted laterally to release the rib of the stereotype. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section through the mold on the line 7 7 of Figs. 1, 2, 3, &c. Fig. 8 isa view looking against the under face of the upturned top plate, the bed-plate being shown in cross-section. Fig. 9 is aperspective view of a portion of the matrix-sheet. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the stereotype.

5 Referring to the drawings, A represents a bed-plate mounted in an inclined position on fixed supports a, and provided in its upper face with a longitudinal channel adapted to receive the matrix-sheet B and the lower face of the top plate C, which latter is connected to the lower end of the bed by slotted hinges along the edges of the matrix.

0, so that it may be turned upward therefrom, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7. The channel is somewhat wider than the matrix-sheet, and is provided in opposite sides with two 5 5 longitudinal bars or bearers D, the inner edges of which slightly overlap the matrix, and which serve the double purpose of holding the matrix in place and of sustaining the I top plate when it is in operative position, so as to accurately determine the thickness of the stereotype cast in the channel or chamber between the matrix andthe top plate.

The bearers D have on their under faces 7 ribs d, seated in grooves in the bed-plate, in order to hold the bearers from moving laterally, but admit of their being lifted suffi- I ciently to allow the passage of the matrixsheet thereunder. Near their inner edges the bearers are grooved longitudinally on the under side, as shown at d, whereby they are adapted to fit the more tightly to the surface of the matrix, and. also adapted to receive and hold beads or ribs 19, which may be formed In order to force the bearers down snugly upon the matrix before the top plate is closed, pointed screws 01 are tapped through the sides of the bed-plate in position to overlap the edges of the bearers, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5 but these screws are not a necessary feature of my construction. By turning these screws backward the bearers are released, so that they may be lifted to permit the free insertion or removal of the matrix-sheet. 8

It is necessary that the top plate shall be held down firmly and closely upon the bearers during the casting operation, and this may. be accomplished by clamping mechanism of any suitable construction. I recommend, however, for this purpose the devices shown in the drawings in which E E represent upright pressure-screws provided with handwheels and tapped through yoke-bars e, each of which is mounted to swing arounda stand ard e, and provided at the opposite end with an open slot, so that it may swing beneath a nut e on the top of a second standard 6 The standards are fixed to opposite sides of the bed-plate, so that the yoke-bars passing I00 over the bed-plate present the screws in po- Sition to act centrally thereon. A slight backward turn of the screws releases the parts, so that the yokes may be swung back out of the path of the top plate to admit of its being raisedto permit the removal of the casting andmatrix. At its lower end the space or chamber between the topplate and bed is closed by a plate g, fixed to the bed to prevent the escape. of the molten metal which is poured into the open upper end of the chamber. (Shown at h, Figs. 1 and 4.)

In order to produce an overhangingrib of L form in cross-section along the back of the stereotype, as shown in Fig 10, I form in the under face of the top plate a longitudinal groove I of the required shape. If this groove were formed in a solid top plate it would be manifestly impossible to remove the stereo- .type except by sliding it endwise, which is not a feasible plan. In order, therefore, to provide for the convenient removal of the stereotype, one side or wall of the groove-theone the rib-is formed by a bar or plate h, constituting in effect a part of the top plate and connected thereto by transverse dovetailed ribs W, as shown in Fig. 7, or by like sliding connections which will admit of the bar being retracted laterally after the top plate is raised,

as. shown in Fig. 6.

As shown in Figs. 2, 6, and 8, the bar 72, about midway of its length, is provided with a semicircular depression in its upper side, into which the circular disk-head Zof a screw L turns. This screw is extended laterally through a threaded opening in a sustainingbracket M, projecting from the side of the top plate 0.. By turning the screw in the proper on its dovetailed guides from its companion bar, and the stereotype released. By thus retractingthe bar its edge or lip fitting within or beneath. the rib is withdrawn therefrom, leaving the stereotype free to be lifted di- In order to-acourately determine the width of the. stereotype and to produce thereon straight and parallel edges which will need no trimming or finishing, I provide the top plate with downwardly-projecting ribs h 'which close past the inner edges of the bearers D and rest tightly on top of the matrix. Although theribs are not a necessary feature, they are highly advantageous, and'their use is recommended. The top plate may have that portion of its under surface which lies opposite effect of the metal-mold, while on the opposite surface it is in contact withthe papier-mach matrix, it is found that the metal solidifies and practically completes its contraction on the upper surface before the contraction of the under surfaceiscompleted, the result being that the plate assumes on the printingface a concave form in cross-section. In order to overcome this evil, the lower face of the mold underlying the matrix is made of concave form in cross-section, the depression being at the center from one one-hundredth to one sixty-fourth of an inch. The effect of this construction is to give the body of molten metal a greater thickness at the center than at the edges of the mold and to furnish surplus metal at the point where the contraction.

is continued for the greatest length of time. The result is that'the continuing contraction at the center causes the plate to assume afiat' .form on the printing-face. which gives shape to the overhanging side of Having thus described my-invention, what I claim is- 1. In combination with the channel'e'dbed and the movable top plate the movable intermediate bearers to confine the edges'of the matrix-sheet.

2. The channeled bed and the top plate clos-' ing therein, in combination with the movable intermediate bearers, each grooved or channeled on the under side, as described.

3. The channeled bed-plate and' the top plate closing therein, in combination with the intermediate bearers adapted to move verti cally when the top plate is raised, and the screws acting on said bearers to hold them down upon the matrix-sheet. direction the bar It may be moved laterally 4. In combination with the channeled bedplate, the top plate having a groove therein,

and a laterally-movable bar forming'one wall of said groove, whereby the mold'is adapted to produce and readilyrelease a ribbed stereotype. rectly from the face of the upturned top plate.

5. In combination withthe bedand the.co-

6. A mold for casting ribbed" stereotypes,

having the chamber to receive the metal, provided with a groove to form the rib, and made of increasing depth from the edges toward operating top plate, the bar it, having. trans- :verse sliding connections with the top plate, and a clamping device, as a screw, to adjust the bar laterally;

types, the bed having the channels and the bearers therein, in combination with the top plate provided with the groove and thelaterally-movable bar, said plate and bar both arranged'to close within the channel of the bedplate and upon the bearers therein.

8. In a moldfor casting stereotypes, the top plate forming one wall of the casting-chamber provided with the groove, the laterally-movable bar, and the studs to prevent lateral motion of the stereotype while the bar is being retracted.

9. In combination with the channeledbedplate and the bearers Dtherein,the top plate In testimony whereof I hereunto set my 10 provided on its under face with the longitudihand, this 15th'day of February, 1890, in the nal ribs adapted to close past the inner edges presence of two attesting witnesses.

of the bearers to act upon the matrix-sheet thereunder. GILBERT H. BENEDICT.

10. In a mold for casting fiat stereotypeplates from non-conducting matrices, a mold- Witnesses:

chamber having in cross-section an increasing W. R. KENNEDY,

depth from the edges toward the center. 7 FABIUS STANLY ELMORE. 

